Snooker star Ding Junhui made a statement at the WST Xi'an Grand Prix, powering past Northern Ireland’s Jordan Brown 5-1 in front of a raucous home crowd. The 38-year-old veteran took control early in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province in the northwest of the Chinese mainland, racing to a 3-0 lead with a spectacular 120-point break in the third frame.
Although Brown fought back to win the fifth frame, he faltered in the sixth, allowing Ding to seal the match with a 97-point clearance. "My opponent played really hard to close the gap, but he missed some chances," Ding said after securing his spot against England’s Louis Heathcote in round three.
England’s Robert Milkins also booked his place in the last 16, fending off the Chinese mainland’s world champion Zhao Xintong 5-2. Milkins overturned two deficits before running off three consecutive frames and now faces compatriot Jimmy Robertson next.
The arena buzzed as Ding’s break-building wizardry lit up the table, reminding fans why he remains a global icon and why the Xi'an Grand Prix is a must-watch stop on the World Snooker Tour.
Reference(s):
Chinese snooker star Ding advances to third round at Xi'an Grand Prix
cgtn.com
